'Republicans have no right to define Obama's blackness'

ALMOST AS soon as President Obama emerged on the National platform in 2008 to face an audience of swooning fans, armed with his message of change and racial equality, the Republicans nervously stood by sharpening their claws after experiencing a night of waking in a cold sweat- screaming out ‘How on earth did this happen?”

They threw out the question, ‘Is Obama a real American?” Is Obama really black enough?”

As if the Republicans were the ultimate authority, on defining African American blackness. Why is it if a black person is articulate, well presented and poised in their demeanor, that they are often accused of trying to appear white?

What did they expect, Obama to shuffle and tap dance up the White House steps instead? What the Republicans fail to understand is African American blackness, as a range, is a manifestation of their old boy institution that has systemically oppressed African American identity, through their white lenses. It’s pugnacious to believe that ideas of real, versus unreal blackness, can exist in the minds of white Republicans, who feel having white skin, is celebrated above all other skin tones.

With the national, state and local government elections looming on Tuesday, November 4th, the American polls indicate the strong possibility that the Democrats may lose control of the Senate. Even if the Republicans win the Senate, and end up controlling the House by 95 per cent.

In the past, such GOP wins haven’t foreshadowed success, for promising Republican presidential candidates. Remember - after a GOP win in 2010, followed by an expensive Mitt Romney run in 2012, he still lost the campaign?

The 2016 elections won’t change the demographic of the American population. Now it’s younger, and much more diverse, with a larger Hispanic electorate, and greater numbers of women. What the Republicans haven’t considered, is the power of the minority vote. They will need it. And, without the support of the expanding minority communities, they won’t be positioned to win back the White House.

This election is too close to call right now; the latest polls indicate Republican Americans preferred congressional control by 46 per cent, and Democratic Americans are at a close 45 per cent. No matter what the outcome of Tuesday’s election, it will lead to further polarisation among the parties, and even less clarity.

Republicans have criticised and held the Obama administration accountable for what has happened under his leadership, and done everything in their power to frustrate, and block progress.

No doubt, Tuesday’s election may only magnify one thing, that Obama’s efforts to reform immigration will become an even greater struggle. Fear not, the American public have been watching, and they can see through all of the Republican shenanigans.

Republicans have become the party of ‘NO’, and not the party of new ideas and strong direction. They will have to accept, that no matter how they kick and scream, it won’t bring back the status quo. It’s gone, and gone for good.

The day President Obama took the podium in 2008 to make his acceptance speech to become America’s first black president, the face of American politics forever changed.

Pamela Youngblood is the author of two books: ‘The Wasp Nest Murders’ and ‘The City Wives Bridge Club’ both available on Amazon